Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by KeyRat on 10/01/08 - 8:03 AM

I am considering installing an aftermarket console on my 15' sport and in my research I've only found a few resources:

- Carolina skiffs (need to contact a dealer and not CS themselves)
- West Marine
- Dolphin Boats

I'd like to see what people have installed and what they have to say about the console and the installation.

Thanks,

Gerrit

Posted by Binkie on 10/01/08 - 8:15 AM

Check with Mick, (runbythefence) on Continuous Wave Whaler forum. He had a nice original 15` Whaler center console he removed and was trying to sell, and he built a mahogany one. Also look there for his new mahogany console, really radical but cool.

rich

Posted by Binkie on 10/01/08 - 8:42 AM

Micks boat is very radical. not only for the mahogany interior, but he built a long pad on the bottom, and he also installed a high performance gearcase. I never heard any performance figures though,

I don`t know if he is on this website, and can give us an update.

rich

Posted by Blue_Northern on 10/01/08 - 8:50 AM

Mick's boat is crazy -- I bet that thing flies with that 130. I was trying to figure out the reason he added the flat surface on the bottom side and also extended the ribs. I am guessing to keep the boat from going out of control???

Posted by Binkie on 10/01/08 - 9:22 AM

In theory the boat is supposed to just ride on the pad, at speed. Usually the pad is under two feet long and about 10 inches wide. Mikes pad is about 4-5 feet long and 8-10 inches wide. Here is a link to padded boat bottoms. Padded bottoms are only seen on semi V and deep V Hulls.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padded_V...ded_V-hull

I think he is in uncharted territory here with the long pad. His performance experience would be interesting.
My Bass boat had a semi V with a pad, and at high speed 60-70, it took a lot of concentration, as there was constant small steering imuts neede and trim changes (some boats have trim buttons on the steering wheel), to keep the hull from chine walking. it was easiest to keep the boat running on its pad if you were in a slight left turn. Also a foot throttle is recommended, so you can keep two hands on the steering wheel.
My race boat with its perfectly flat bottom in the stern is a lot more stable, in calm water. Obviously I`m not out there in choppy or windy conditions.
rich

Posted by KeyRat on 10/08/08 - 3:39 PM

Depending on price (and freight), I'm leaning towards a small console from Scout boats:

http://www.scoutboats.com/models/popu...5SF_2.html

or one from SeaFox boats:
[url]
http://seafox.jestercom.net/ssp_director/albums/album-1/hr/console_w__aluminum_dash_panel_for_full_instrumentation.jpg[/url]

I've decided to use the boat for a season and then validate that the CC is the way to go come next summer or fall.

Gerrit

Posted by KeyRat on 10/08/08 - 4:41 PM

#11

I just got off the phone with a Scout dealer and the console from the 145CC is $1000!

She said that includes cushions, windshield, steering wheel, etc.

I asked for a price on just the console so we'll see how much it drops but at that price I'm going to keep shopping. I still have calls out to Dolphin boats, SeaFox and Hewes.

She did mention that Todd makes the consoles so I've pinged them to see what they have to say as far as price and where I can get my hands on one. Todd sells some consoles on West Marine but I'm not thrilled with what they offer.

The search continues........

Posted by Bake on 10/08/08 - 4:46 PM

#12

Isn't scout boat's in South Carolina too? I would really consider the oem before buying another console. Then again a newer console in my project boat would really make people wonder about the age of the boat when finished. Just what I needed, something else to ponder over for my project.

Posted by Binkie on 10/09/08 - 9:29 AM

#14

That Scout console is great looking and compact, and I think would work as a center console for 13 and 15 ft. Whalers. Does anyone know the overall width? I don`t think it would be very hard to copy in mahogany, except for the radiused corners under the seat cushion, which would have to be squared off and rounded like the other corners.
The windshield is easy to fabricate also. As the thirteen footer doesn't have a flat floor the console would have to be scribed to the floor so it would fit. I am looking for a good looking console to build for my daughters 13 footer.

rich

Posted by KeyRat on 10/09/08 - 10:00 AM

#15

Hi Rich,

Growing up in Miami we had an old 13' whaler (1960?) on which we installed a small console from Dolphin boats. The size was perfect and the ability to stand and let your knees absorb the pounding was priceless. Our 13 had sort of a concave channel running almost the length of the boat so the console didn't meet the deck perfectly but worked fine.

I'll see if I can dig up an old picture.

Having said all that, if you have the time, skills and know-how to build a custom wood console, that would be ideal.

Gerrit